Mauricio Pellegrino denies Charlie Austin exile was a mistake

Mauricio Pellegrino insisted he hadn't made a mistake by ignoring Charlie Austin for months after the striker's double downed Everton.

Mauricio Pellegrino and Charlie Austin,

November 27, 2017

Southampton had scored just nine league goals going into Sunday's clash with the struggling Toffees, but hit four in one afternoon with Austin bagging a brace.

The former Queens Park Rangers marksman, who had not scored from open play since the winner in a 1-0 victory over Everton 364 days ago, was handed his first Premier League start of the season by Pellegrino.

He said afterwards he had a point to prove but the Saints boss insisted he had not left Austin waiting in the wings for so long.

"I decided to choose another 11, I decided other team-mates were better for those games or occasions," said the Argentinean when asked about Austin's absence.

"He has trained much, much better in the last few weeks and I think he deserved his chance. You have to be ready because you never know when the manager will need you to be ready.

"Sure, I spoke with most of them but when the manager chooses 11 players it is because I feel in that moment they are right to play on that day."